Bsquared Technology Pte Ltd — known in the market as BSQ — has lost its license in Singapore, and regulators are now demanding proof that customers’ funds have been fully returned. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) revoked Bsquared’s Major Payment Institution License on Wednesday after an on-site inspection uncovered multiple compliance failures. MAS has ordered the firm to produce a closure certificate confirming that it has returned all customer assets; the company has told regulators it currently holds no outstanding customer funds. What MAS found - Gaps in risk management and conflict-of-interest controls - Failures to comply with MAS outsourcing rules - Repeated instances of false or misleading information provided to MAS, beginning with the original license application and continuing through the inspection Bsquared had held the license for just 16 months. MAS made clear that revocation of the license is not the end of the matter: the central bank said it is reviewing the conduct of the firm’s key officers, indicating potential individual consequences beyond the corporate sanction. A warning to the industry Singapore has licensed 37 entities to offer digital payment token services, and revocations are rare. The action against Bsquared serves as a strong signal that MAS will take decisive action against operators that fall short of regulatory standards or mislead authorities. Singapore’s broader crypto stance The move comes against the backdrop of Singapore’s efforts to position itself as a leading Asian crypto hub. Major players such as Coinbase and Ripple maintain regional offices there, and Crypto.com has its global headquarters in the city-state. That appeal has been built in part on a regulatory approach that prioritizes strict oversight. Last year MAS rejected AmazingTech’s application to operate Tokenize Xchange, and the city-state’s Commercial Affairs Department later opened a probe into that company. At the same time, Singapore is expanding its digital asset capabilities: Singapore Gulf Bank recently launched a service for institutional clients to mint and redeem stablecoins directly through their bank accounts on the Solana blockchain. Bottom line: Singapore wants crypto business, but makes clear it won’t compromise on enforcement and transparency — and firms operating there should expect close scrutiny. Featured image: KOLN, chart: TradingView. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news